Softball girls’ dreams come true

Softball is about much more than the sport for two Camdenton teens. Winning the ASA World Series was what 13-year-olds Haile Farris and Shelby Webster have worked toward since they began playing t-ball together.

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Spree Hilliard

The Lake News Online

Spree Hilliard

Posted Aug. 10, 2014 at 2:50 PM

Spree Hilliard

Posted Aug. 10, 2014 at 2:50 PM

Lake area

Softball is about much more than the sport for two Camdenton teens. Winning the ASA World Series was what 13-year-olds Haile Farris and Shelby Webster have worked toward since they began playing t-ball together.

The Tanel 360 team wrapped up their summer season as World Series champions. The team consists of teens from all over the state including Rolla, Fulton, Mexico and Havaca but two of them call the lake area home.

For these girls, success comes from not only their talent but their bond.

"You are closer than normal friends," Shelby said. "Because you have to trust each other."

Last year, the team played in a different World Series and placed fifth out of 36 teams.

This year, the girls were ready.

"They played well together as a team," Coach Joey Farris said. "They went out there, had a blast and that made a difference."

Playing on a travel team is nothing short of a serious commitment for the players and their families. They practice at The Zoo in Camdenton and various softball fields around the state depending on availability.

"You will have to push yourself to get there and you have to want it," Haile said.

And that is exactly what this team did. The 13U team went up against 14 and 15U teams at the series. When they arrived, they knew it was time to get serious and focus. Both Haile and Shelby described the opening series game as nerve wracking.

The turn around game came during the semi-finals when the team was down 5 to 3. A teammate was on third, then another girl hit a line drive. The next hitter up to the plate hit a home run calling the game in their favor.

"You just got to deal with it and fight through it," Shelby said.

That was when they knew they could do it. They took the momentum the semi final win gave them and won the finals.

"They always kept their heads up," coach Farris said.

For these softball sisters, as they call themselves, this is just the beginning.